arts + photos

Officers of the New York Police Department gathers for briefing before the Marathon starts, March 19, 2017. – Aaron Romero, PVI/UNTV

The first wave of the handicapped racers slice through the cold wind at Central Park, New York City in the 2017 NYC Half Marathon on March 19, 2017. – Aaron Romero, PVI/UNTV

Runners dash through Times Square between Mile 7 and 8 markers during the 2017 NYC Half Marathon on March 19, 2017. This is one of the most festive half marathons around the city and thousand of participants and spectators are kept safe by the city officials during this event. – Aaron Romero, PVI/UNTV

2017 NYC Half Marathon runners wrap their finisher’s warmers around their body to protect them from the cold weather as they head on to meet their friends and families after the race on March 19, 2017. – Aaron Romero, PVI/UNTV

December 31, 2016. Security around the Times Square area increases to ensure safety of the participants and spectators of the 2017 New Year’s Ball Dropping Event in New York City. – Aaron Romero, UNTV/PVI

New York. People from all over the world awaits the special event in Times Square on December 31, 2016. – Aaron Romero, UNTV/PVI

December 31, 2016. The New York Police Department briefs hours before the event at Times Square, New York City. – Aaron Romero, UNTV/PVI

December 31, 2016. Sanitation trucks cooperates with the NYPD to block all road access to the Times Square area to keep the people safe following threats like those of the France and Berlin truck plowing incident earlier this year. – Aaron Romero, UNTV/PVI

Police and Secret Services increased their visibility in midtown Manhattan as both teams help ensure the security of Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and President elect Donald Trump on Thursday, November 17, 2016. – Aaron Romero, PVI

International Media gathers outside the Trump Tower in midtown Manhattan awaiting for the arrival of Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for his meeting with President Elect Donald Trump on Thursday, November 17, 2016. – Aaron Romero, PVI

Barricades were placed around the area in 5th Ave in midtown Manhattan to route the crowd and traffic and to ensure everyone’s safety while the Japan Prime Minister Abe meets with President Elect Donald Trump Today, November 17, 2016. – Aaron Romero, PVI

As they close the polling centers in the East Coast at 9pm, the NYPD and Special Services keeps the Jacob Javits Center in New York City safe and secure where the Election Night Event of the Hillary Clinton Camp takes place on November 8, 2016. – Aaron Romero, PVI/UNTV

November 8, 2016. Dump trucks are used as road blocks around the Jacob Javits Center in New York City as the two presidentiables battle neck to neck an hour after the polls were closed. The Hillary camp will throw an after party at the Javits if Sec. Clinton wins tonight. – Aaron Romero, PVI/UNTV

November 8, NEW YORK. Clinton supporters comes out of the Javits Center after Donald Trump wins the 2016 US Presidential Elections. – Aaron Romero, PVI/UNTV

November 8, NEW YORK. A Clinton supporter rolls in an American flag as Donald Trump wins the 2016 US Presidential Elections. – Aaron Romero, PVI/UNTV

November 8, NEW YORK. Clinton supporters comes out of the Javits Center as Donald Trump wins the 2016 US Presidential Elections. – Aaron Romero, PVI/UNTV

Runners prepare at Staten Island before the starting line of the 2016 TCS New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 6. – Aaron Romero, PVI

2016 TCS New York City Marathon runners hydrate at the 14 mile marker in Queens while police officer watches for safety of the participants and spectators on Sunday, November 6. – Aaron Romero, PVI

Finishers don their poncho warmers after running 26.2 miles heading out to meet their friends and families at Manhattan’s Central Park on Sunday, November 6, 2016. Safe and clear routing provided by the organizers and the NYPD made the event successful. – Aaron Romero, PVI

A militant group caused disarray while Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III was answering questions at the World Leaders Forum inside the Low Memorial Library of Columbus University, New York City last Tuesday, September 23, 2014.

The President remained calm and did not utter a word against the militants after the group shouted and created commotion inside the peaceful hall of the university.

The militant group Gabriela and Anak Bayan were protesting about justice not being served in the country. They were pertaining to the Ampatuan Massacre and other bloodsheds that happened before President Aquino’s term. They were also ranting about the millions of dollars of donations for the Typhoon Haiyan victims that, according to them, were not distributed to the people.

After President Aquino concluded his speech, Mr. Lee C. Bollinger, the University President and host of the event said that he knows that the President practices democracy in his country, but the disruption of these people are not acceptable according to the rules and regulations of Columbia University. Mr. Bollinger had the militants escorted out of the hall, resulted in one arrest by the New York Police Department.

The President was invited to speak at the World Leaders Forum with the theme: The Peace and Progress in the Asian Region, The Philippines Perspective at the Columbia University. This is a year-long event of the university where they invite world leaders aiming to advance lively, uninhibited dialogue on the large economic, political, and social questions of our time.

The Forum’s list of previous participants includes many heads of the state and few of the many remarkable past speakers includes Presidents Bill Clinton, Nicolas Sarkozy of France, Vladimir Putin of Russia, Michelle Bachelet of Chile, Václav Klaus of the Czech Republic, and the Dalai Lama. Among the audience were students and professors of Political Science and they were encouraged to ask questions about various issues in the respective countries of the speakers.

It is an honor to the Philippines that President Aquino was invited to speak in a prestigious event of one of the best universities in America. Unfortunately, these militants sneaked their way inside the forum, causing trouble and shame among the listeners and fellow countrymen.

We may not have the best President, but what these militants did was indeed shameful and out of hand. They have the right to protest, but they have no right to crash and cause trouble inside a private university carrying the name of the Filipino people. I even doubt if they are citizens of the Philippines.

Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers a speech at the World Leaders Forum hosted at Columbia University. The President will address some issues about Asian peace and progress in the Philippines’ perspective.

A member of a militant group Gabriela disrupts President Aquino during his speech. Ranting, “No justice, no peace, stop the killings in the Philippines,” the group is pertaining to the Ampatuan Massacre and other bloodshed in the country that are still pending cases.

Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III pauses as a the young woman shouts from the audience. Despite the disorder the militant group made inside the hall, the President remains calm and unaffected.

One member of the militant group was escorted out by the securities after protesting against the President inside the venue. New York Policemen made one arrest after the group violated the University’s regulations.

March 16, 2014 New York City. (Top-Bottom): 1. The first wave of Elite Men at 7 minutes before Mile 2 mark. 2. Heading the pack is Rob Watson of Canada, bearing the record of 1:03:29 on the NYC Half 2012. 3. Leading the Women’s Elite runners is Kim Smith of New Zealand with the record of 1:07:11 on the 2011 RNR Philadelphia running past Caroline Rotich of Kenya. 4. More than 15,000 runners from around the globe zip along the Cleopatra’s Needle in Central Park, then to run across the most exciting Half Marathon in the City. 5. According to Wilson Kipsang (Bright Green jersey 5th from right), He is aiming for Sub-60 today. (Aaron Romero, UNTV/PVI)